It's easy to imagine a window seat's charm, whether you have one in your home or not. This quintessential feature, which first appeared in European homes during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, has long defined some of the country's most elegant homes. However, I've just found the darkest twist on an original window seat to date, in Kourtney Kardashian's home, no less.
The space, designed by Jeff Andrews, reimagines the classic window seat – turning it from a century-old architectural feature to a Gothic statement that's even easier to replicate than the original.
Instead of exhibiting the conventional window seat that's designed to blend in with the window itself, Kourtney has placed a black-painted statement bench along her window, proving it's possible to create a similar feature without a significant renovation. If you love decorating with antiques, this bold, quirky idea is for you.
Take a cue from Kourtney and create a window seat with this statement bench. Its black velvet upholstery, diamond tufting, and silver trim exude sophisticated, contemporary glam, while feeling slightly gothic, just like her piece.
Just like Kourtney's, but with a modern, boucle twist: Featuring a kiln-dried wood frame, textured polyester upholstery, and a handy arm tray for essentials, it’s perfect as a stylish seat by any window in your living room, entryway, or bedroom.
This traditional-style bench combines soft, button-tufted arms with a dark color palette for a timeless, comfortable look that fits by any window. Its thick foam padding, breathable linen fabric, and sturdy rubberwood frame make it perfect as a bedroom seat, entryway bench, or place to read by the window.
Decorating with black, whether it's an antique-style piece like Kourtney's or a more modern furnishing, is a timeless way to add drama to a room. However, as her space reminds us, styling around the piece is key.
Her designer, Jeff Andrews, has left the remainder of her space soft and neutral, allowing the space to feel light and airy, despite its statement seat. Holly Ambrose, Interior Designer at Roomes Furniture & Interiors, agrees with this technique.
'If a customer chooses all black furniture, such as a black velvet or leather sofa, or an antique black sideboard in the cabinet furniture, they should consider balancing the room with light wall coverings and flooring to prevent the room from feeling too dark,' she says.
'Using warm tones such as sand and stone can help to keep the room feeling warm and cosy, while creating a contrast between light and dark.'
Kourtney's uber-chic lighting ideas are also fitting for her statement bench, as Holly explains. 'Consider the lighting to set the desired ambiance for the room. Using bulbs that give off a warm light can help to make the room feel warmer and prevent the black furniture from making the room feel too heavy.'
Alternatively, as Holly notes, table lamps and floor lamps can also create a lovely ambiance in the room, especially in the evening, 'when ceiling lights may be too harsh.'
Will you be creating a modern-day window seat like Kourtney's? Let me know in the comments below.
